Desert

Rajasthan : Spanning through the magnificent states of Gujarat and Rajasthan the Indian Desert is an amazing place to look for truly fantastic wild flora and fauna. Animals and plants in the desert survive in a hostile environment. Intense heat, searing sun, and lack of water are just a few of the challenges facing desert animals and plants. The desert areas of India houses some animals that never drink and plant seeds that can stay alive for years without water are typical of the miracles of this most infirm zone. In the Indian subcontinent, deserts, with an area of about 225,000 sq km covers just under 7% of the total land area.

Divided into two distinct sub-divisions - Thar desert region covering 180,000 sq km in the state of Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutchh, covering some 45,000 sq km of western Gujarat are lands of grand mirage and miracles.The desert cat, desert fox, the winter-visiting houbara bustard and several sandgrouse species,as also a few reptiles are found only in the Thar.Blackbuck, chinkara, the Indian wolf, caracal, great Indian bustard can also be seen here. States : Rajasthan and Gujarat.Major Locations : Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch Best Time to Visit : October to March. Rajasthan The royal state of Rajasthan is a haven for a wide spectrum of wildlife. The topography of Rajasthan ranges from the desolate desert, dry and deciduous forests, rocks and ravines to wetlands and lush, green forests. And each of these areas inhabits a large variety of animal and bird life within there boundary.

Zone : North India.Location : To the Northwestern corner of India. Capital : Jaipur Best Time to Visit : Most of these areas are open to visitors round the year but are closed briefly during the monsoon. But the best time to visit is during November to March.
Jaipur : - Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha clan, the astronomer King Sawai Jai Singh. The city is a fine blend of old and new. When you approach the city you will be surrounded by the pink walls of the buildings around you, which were painted pink to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities. Jaipur boasts of several attractions, some of the which are - the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal (The Wind Palace), Amer Fort, etc.Jaipur Hotels

Jaisalmer : The name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. Founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 A.D., the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it almost untouched by outside world, even during the days of the Raj. Very few cities can boast of the magnificence that surrounds Jaisalmer. The Major attractions are - The Jaisalmer Fort, the Sam Sand Dunes, Camel Safari. the monuments of Jaisalmer have withstood the buffeting winds of the desert all through. Jaisalmer is a paragon of beautiful culture and harsh climatic conditions; these together leave a lasting impression on the visitors. The old city was completely encircled by a wall but much of it has crumbled sadly for want of building material in recent years. The massive golden fort, which is the essence of Jaisalmer, is entered through First Gate; is a burrow of narrow streets with Jain Temples and old palaces. The main market, the Sadar Bazar is right below the hill. The bank, offices and several shops are also located near the Amar Sagar Gate to the west.Desert festival Significance: To display the glory of the desert land.
Time of Celebration: For three days in January or February every year, culminating on 'Purnima' (full moon day). How To Reach - By Air: Jaisalmer is well connected by the flights from New Delhi, Jodhpur and Jaipur. The Jaisalmer Airport is in the cantonment area, 5 km away from the city center. It is managed by the Indian Air Force and is operational only from September to March, the prime season. By Train: There are daily trains to Jaisalmer from Jodhpur, which is well connected to all the major cities by the network of trains such as New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai and many more. The Jaisalmer Railway Station is just a 10-minute drive from Gadi Sagar Pol. By Road: Smooth network of roads and luxury coaches link Jaisalmer to all the major cities of Rajasthan such as Bikaner, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The main Bus Stand is situated near the Railway Station, but all the major buses are available from a Bus Depot situated in the heart of the city.New Delhi Hotels ,Jaipur Hotels ,

Bikaner : Lying in the north of the desert State, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and Breeding farms in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Modern Bikaner is the result of the foresight of its most eminent ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943) whose reformative zeal set the pace for Bikaner transformation from a principality to a premier princely state.
Udaipur : One of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is also known as the city of lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage in the desert. The Major Attractions - The City Palace, the Lake Palace.^TOP

Jodhpur : This bustling desert city is the second largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan, in 1459 AD. The mammoth, imposing fortress (Meherangarh) has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of fortress. The new city is outside the structure. The Rathores enjoyed good relations with the Mughals. Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shah Jahan in the latter's war of succession. The relations with the Mughals soured during the reign of Aurangzeb who launched a crusade against the Hindus, made preparations to bring the state of Marwar under his control, ordered demotion of temples and revival of Jeziya. After Aurangzeb's death, Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out the Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar. Marwar under his control, ordered demotion of temples and revival of Jeziya. After Aurangzeb's death, Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out the Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar.In the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh Jodhpur grew into a modern city. The quintessence of Jodhpur was its valour and equestrian skill. Polo has been the traditional sport of the Jodhpur Jodhpur has two railway stations – City and Rai ka Bagh. Both the railway stations are outside the walled city. The bus stand is right outside the Rai ka Bagh Station. Jodhpur is also a army and an air force station. It has a large cantonment and airbase. nobility since medieval times.Jaipur Hotels

Gujrat : Gujarat situated in the extreme western part of India is a unique state that has many kinds of habitats. These varied landscapes include dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, wetlands, marine ecosystems and rich moist deciduous forests. These environments are home to some extremely rare wildlife species. The Asiatic Lion is found only in Gir. The Wild Ass in the Rann of Kutch......Zone : West.
Location : To the western region of India..Capital : Gandhinagar.Best Time to Visit : Most of these areas are open to visitors round the year. But the best time to visit is during November to March.